The case for building a new lock at Sault Ste. Marie received a big boost with the publication of a report by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, which detailed the critical importance of the locks to the U.S. economy. The report, entitled: “The Perils of Efficiency: An Analysis of an Unexpected Closure of the Poe Lock and Its Impact” was completed in October of 2015, and reported on MLive on March 13, 2016.

As of February 1, 2019, Lake Michigan water level is at 580.05 feet. with a slight increase in January. Lake Superior and Lake Michigan-Huron are in their seasonal decline and have fallen 2 and I inches, respectively, in the past 30 days. Lake Superior is 2 inches below one year ago, while Lake Michigan-Huron is 3 inches above its level one year ago. For more information, go to U.S. Army Corps of Engineers daily level chart at http://lre-wm.usace.army.mil/ForecastData/DailyLevelsEnglish.pdf

The Great Lakes Coalition held its Annual Membership Meeting on Saturday, August 18, 2018 at the Haworth Inn & Conference Center on the campus of Hope College in Holland, Michigan. Concerns about rising water levels and increased outflow from Lake Superior brought a record attendance of almost 200 shoreline property owners. Guest Speaker was John Allis, P.E., Chief, Great Lakes Hydraulics & Hydrology Office, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Detroit District Office.

The Great Lakes Coalition welcomes two new members to our Board of Directors:
James F. Hettinger, South Haven. Jim received his BA and MA degrees at Western Michigan University and received his doctorate in Public Administration from the University of Missouri. He received an honorary doctorate in Public Service from WMU. Jim previously was marketing director and went on to become president of Battle Creek Unlimited. He also served as Chair of the Western Michigan University Board of Trustees for 8 years. Jim has a keen interest in Great Lakes history, enjoys photography, reading, walking the beach, and is an ardent hockey fan.
Ron Wilson, Manistee. Ron received his MS degree in Natural Resource Policy from the University of Michigan. He has spent 20 years as a lobbyist for the City of Lansing and worked with Lana Pollack (IJC) to enact the Sand Dunes Preservation Act.